How women in Saudi can cut traffic accidents by 80 percent

A few years ago, a lot of us women had a healthy laugh over a study which suggested that 80 percent (or some silly proportion) of the tens of thousands of traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia each year were caused by women.

We laughed because, of course, women aren’t allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, so, by strict definition, men are the ones driving over curbs and passing on the shoulders and double and triple parking and running lights and…well causing and getting into accidents.

I understood then – and understand now, of course – that just because women aren’t behind the wheel doesn’t mean we are blameless when it comes to traffic snarls and accidents.

I’m guilty of it myself – like the time I realized a fraction of a second too late that my driver hadn’t heard me say I wanted to stop at City Plaza. Just as we were about to pass the entrance I shrieked, “Turn!” He did, cutting off a few cars and barely avoiding an accident in the process.

Part of it is – in my defense – that not being the one driving gives me a free pass to not pay attention. Part of it also, is the fact that I tend to get crazy motion sickness in the backseat of any vehicle, so I spend a good deal of my travel time either with my eyes squeezed shut, my face in front of the a/c vent or my head between my legs – none of which encourages road awareness.

And part of it, quite candidly, is because I’m not driving so I don't think of traffic safety as my responsibility.

But, that’s a cop out and I know it.

Just because I’m not the one behind the wheel doesn’t mean I don’t influence driving behavior.

Which has given me an idea.

If 80 percent of traffic accidents are actually caused by women, then women should be able to prevent 80 percent of the traffic accidents as well, right?

It should be simple. Really simple.

First off, as women we need to know the traffic laws.

It just so happens that the Ministry of Interior here in Saudi has a pretty comprehensive list of traffic violations posted on their Web site.

The list includes those violations which will net the driver 10-30 days and jail and/or a SR300-SR900 if he gets caught. The list includes things like:

• Driving in opposite direction.
• Driving without using lights at night.
• Exceeding speed limit at inhabited regions.
• Driving at high speeds disregarding alarms.
• Breaking a traffic light or traffic man instructions.
• U-turning in prohibited areas.
• Disregarding emergency vehicles and VIP convoys.
• Over passing vehicles queue due to traffic jam.
• Over passing an exceeding vehicle in two-lane road.
• Over passing vehicles in turning points and uphill.
• Using horns illegally.

There’s also a list of violations which will net the driver 5-15 days behind bars and a fine of SR 150-500 if het gets caught. That list includes things like:

• Exceeding speed limit.
• Neglecting rules of overpass and oncoming vehicles.
• Changing speed or direction without using indicators.
• Driving out of sub-street to main road without following necessary precautions.
• Ignoring priority rules in crossroads, bridges, tunnels and railways.

And another list of violations which can result in 10 days in jail and SR300 fine which includes things like:

• Causing traffic congestion by driving slowly.
• Using horn illegally.
• Violating parking rules.
• Stopping on railways.
• Driving on lanes specified for other type of vehicle.
• Absence of mirrors.
• Transporting load with an open back door.
• Using curtains on side or back windows.
• Driving on sidewalks.
• Driving slowly to search for passengers.
• Exceeding number of permitted passengers.
• Unbuckling seat belt.
• Committing illegal actions according to the Traffic System.

I suggest these lists of violations be printed off (in volume!) and carried by every woman passenger in the Kingdom. (I just replayed my last taxi trip to town and seriously, every driver I saw would be behind bars and in financial ruin – but at least off the roads – if these traffic laws were actually enforced!)

Armed with the traffic laws, the second part of my grand scheme to reduce the number of traffic accidents encourages women in Saudi Arabia to know where the heck we are!

That starts with getting a map.

Here’s a printable interactive map from Yahoo Travel, and another by Google Maps.

The bookstores carry local maps as well, but being in possession of a map isn’t enough. We need to know where we are and where we want to go. No more shrieks from the back seat because we weren’t paying attention and missed our turn!

And finally for the coup de grace in my traffic accident reduction scheme – and here’s when women will really shine - each and every time we get into a vehicle we need to:

• Announce that we are aware of the traffic laws
• Know where we are going
• Pay attention to where we are
• And let the man behind the wheel know we will not tolerate any violations!

I’ve been toying with this last little bit, trying to imagine how it might work…

In a taxi it might go something like this:

“Good morning. I need to go to Latif Bakery. (buckling seat belt.) I just want to let you know that I am very concerned with safety, and am fully aware of the rules of the road here in Saudi Arabia. In fact, I have a list of them right here if you’d like a copy. (leaning forward slightly with outstretched hand.) I know you’re very concerned with safety as well, but I want to let you know that if you violate the traffic laws while I’m in your car, I will ask you to pull over and let me out. I will call your boss, and I will let him know that I won’t be paying my fare – and why. Are there any questions?”

In a private car, it’s much easier, and might go something like this:

Please take me to Latif Bakery. We’ve already talked about the importance of safety and the traffic laws here, and I want you to know I will not tolerate any violations while you are driving my car. Is that understood?”

The tricky part, of course, will be when we’re driving with family members - fathers and husbands, brothers and sons - but I’m sure that can be worked out privately! These are the male drivers with the most to benefit from keeping us safe and happy and over whom we should have the most positive influence, right?

The point is, women might not be allowed to drive (yet) here in Saudi Arabia, but until we can, we do – and should –influence the driving behavior of those men who drive us around. (And think of how much better the roads and traffic will be by the time we finally do get the right to drive!)

Every time we get into a vehicle - whether we're behind the wheel, riding "shotgun" or in the back seat - we choose what kind of influence we're going to be. Why not make it a safe influence?

How willing are you to confront law-breakers? Are you more or less likely to break the law if you know there's a pretty high likelihood you're going to be caught and ultimately face the consequences? What happens when laws are on the books but not enforced, and how does society suffer?